Photo by LexScope on Unsplash The European Commission has promoted its overhaul of tobacco rules for the EU. These are contained in revision of the Tobacco Excise Directive (TED) and the new Tobacco Excise Duty on Raw Tobacco (TEDOR). Both are measures specifically designed to improve public health and curb illicit trade. The EU says…
Photo by Valery Tenevoy on Unsplash The Socialists and Democrats in the EU Parliament are sounding the alarm over the rapidly deteriorating political crisis in Serbia. The group, the 2nd biggest in the assembly, is also calling out the European People’s Party (EPP) for what S and D calls its complicit silence and…
Photo by David Foodphototasty on Unsplash EU parliament President Roberta Metsola opened the September plenary session in Strasbourg with a minute of silence to remember lives lost in various tragedies in the EU and its neighbourhood. Metsola expressed her deep sadness following the derailment of the Elevador da Glória in Lisbon on 3 September. She…
Photo by Adele Payman on Unsplash The European Conservatives and Reformists Group, one of the mainstream parties in the EU Parliament, has called on the European Commission to safeguard and strengthen the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). It has warned against any attempt to reduce funding in the upcoming legislative proposal for the 2028–2034 period. ECR Agriculture…
Photo by Marek Pospíšil on Unsplash New rules to better protect journalists are about to come into force. The legislation also aims to protect reporters’ sources and press freedom generally in the digital age. It will apply in all EU countries and come into effect on Friday (8 August). The entry into application of the …
Photo by syahmi syahir on Unsplash The EPP Group in the EU parliament says it “firmly rejects any approach that undermines global trade rules or threatens Europe’s key industries.” This comes in llight of the recent announcements by US President Trump on tariffs. The Group is now urging the European Commission to stand firm and…
Photo by Masood Aslami on Unsplash The European Conservatives and Reformists Group says it has reservations about several key elements of the European Commission’s proposal for the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). While acknowledging the need for a more responsive and strategic EU budget, the group is cautioning against a shift that could increase uncertainty…
Photo by Jonathan Cooper on Unsplash MEPs say it is time to send a clear signal that the European Parliament defends citizens’ rights. That was the message from the Socialists and Democrats on 18 June ahead of the plenary vote on the 2024 Rule of Law report. It comes, they say, at a time when…
Anders Vistisen MEP says he supports child protection but defends national legal sovereignty and harsher penalties against child abusers, including medical castration. He was speaking on Wednesday in a key plenary debate on the proposal to combat child abuse across the EU. Vistisen emphasized both his strong support for protecting vulnerable children and his firm…
Photo by samsommer on Unsplash The European Commission has unveiled its European Ocean Pact but the package has met with a mixed response. The EU calls it a comprehensive strategy to better protect the ocean, promote a thriving blue economy and support the well-being of people living in coastal areas. The Pact brings together EU ocean…
